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| Pronunciation |
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 (i
pra TROE pee um & al BYOO ter
ole) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Combivent®;
DuoNeb™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Bronchodilator |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to ipratropium, albuterol, or any other part
of this medicine.
If you are allergic to soya lecithin or similar food products such as
soybeans or peanuts, talk with healthcare provider.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms
involved. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
This medicine is used to open the airways in lung diseases where
spasm may cause breathing problems. |
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| How does it work? |
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|
Ipratropium and albuterol works at sites in the airways to relax the
muscles and improve oxygen delivery. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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Follow directions given by healthcare provider.
For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler or as a liquid (solution)
through a special machine (nebulizer) into the lungs.
Shake inhaler well before use.
Prepare inhalers before first use or whenever inhaler has not been
used for more than 2 weeks. Spray 4 test sprays into the air.
Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and
follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way
is very important.
A spacer can be used with the inhaler for easier delivery.
If you are using more than one type of inhaler, ask healthcare
provider which inhaler to use first.
Rinse out mouth after each use. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
Wear disease medical alert identification.
If you have diabetes, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have an overactive thyroid, talk with healthcare provider.
If you have prostate disease, talk with healthcare provider.
Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Nervous and excitable.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum
may help.
Cough.
Inability to sleep. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
Unable to get breathing attack under control.
Peak flow measurement low.
Very nervous and excitable.
Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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Store at room temperature.
Protect from light.
Throw away inhaler after the recommended maximum number of sprays
have been used. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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